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Hindi film industry has seen a number of music directors but few have left their mark on the industry like R.D. Burman. The man who ruled the industry for almost three decades brought groove to the hindi film music introducing a lot of western themes to the music.

Today, when the world celebrates his 71st birth anniversary, we join in by remembering the talent of this musical prodigy.

R.D. Burman’s talent was seen in hindi movies much before he officially started composing for them. The tune of the song “Sar Jo Tera Charaye” was composed by him as a child. He also played Harmonica in the song “Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara”.

RDB started his music career with Mehmood’s “Chote Nawaab” and then continued assisting his father on a few projects. However, his first independent hit movie was “Teesri Manzil” and then there was no looking back. In his career spanning almost three decades, Pancham Da gave music to 331 movies in 6 languages.

Few know that Pancham Da collaborated with a number of western musicians. Of his many English albums, “Pantera” — the album he produced with Jose flores — is the most well-known. Although not one of his best works, it proves the versatility of this musical genius.

The popularity that RDB’s music enjoyed in the 60’s and 70’s however subsided in the late 80s and 90s. He would have jumped back in the game after the soothing music of 1942: A Love Story. Unfortunately, he passed away on 4th of January 1994 just weeks before the release of the movie.

Nevertheless, the legacy of Pancham Da continues with a number of DJs who keep remixing his classics. It just proves the timelessness of his music.